Smuggled sailfin lizards now safe with DENR

Manila, Philippines -  The Hong Kong government has returned to the Philippines five sailfin lizards that were smuggled by a Chinese traveler earlier this year.

The lizards arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Thursday on a Philippine Airlines flight from Hong Kong.

They were brought to the National Wildlife Research and Rescue Center of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) for care before their possible release to their natural habitat.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the repatriation of the reptiles is an affirmation of Hong Kong’s support for Philippine wildlife conservation.

He said that the Philippine sailfin lizard, locally known as ibid, is endemic and classified as “vulnerable” under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.

The lizards were among the wild animals smuggled from the Philippines to Hong Kong last Feb. 8 by a Chinese named Zhang Wenwei on board a Cebu Pacific flight.

Customs officials of the Hong Kong International Airport promptly confiscated the reptiles from Zhang and charged him in court.

Zhang’s “loot” included 18 Philippine pond turtles and 13 Asian box turtles that were also returned to the Philippines last April 27.

He was subsequently convicted for cruelty to animals and illegal importation of species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). He was ordered to pay a fine of HK$8,000 (P45,000).

Since their confiscation in February, the lizards had been under the custody and care of the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.

Paje said the PAWB requested Hong Kong’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) to return the reptiles.

He thanked Philippine Consul General Noel Servigon and Vice Consul Lorena Joy Banagodos for assisting the PAWB in making arrangements with the AFCD and the Kadoorie Farm for the return of the animals.